Notes

Emmanuel Grinshpun. Restoring synagogues and the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress
The topic of the interview with Emmanuil Grinshpun is the revival of synagogues. However, it wasn't possible to stay focused on just one issue. There were many topics that were discussed during the interview.
Emmanuel, good afternoon. We're happy to have a conversation with you. We haven't been able to see each other for five years or more. Which part of the world are you located now?

The nine months that have gone by between Miami and Jurmala were divided. The boundaries between the two were wider in the past but the pandemic impacted the lives of people in a significant way. This isn't saying it's only to the negative.

There have been many different business lines. Do you have one you do today?

Эммануил Гриншпун Diversification isn't changing. If we look at the most important areas, then development in realty, IT, and food production are three main areas.

Food industry is, of course, ALIMCOM, real estate is also quite understandable, but IT is completely new information for me. There are many fields that IT technology could be applied to. What do you excel at?

Our primary focus is on IT-holding is involved in reforming tax systems in a number of countries. We have created or are in the process of developing products to aid in the transfer of a variety business processes that are related to taxation, both online and "real-time". This segment is called B2G ("Business to Government").

And what about the regions that the holding is located? Ex-countries of the USSR

They are also available, but we have more agreements to be signed in Western as well as Eastern Europe as well as Latin America. We are currently operating in 14 countries.

Briefly explain the concept and the reason behind this product.

Our software allows economic operators to make online reports to tax authorities. Fiscal data operator also is aware of each transaction. The software also allows tax accounting and tax computation to be carried out simultaneously. Therefore, in the future, we can say that small and medium-sized firms will no longer require accounting except for its analytical function, and paying taxes and sending reports can be accomplished with just only one "click".

An interesting subject. The future appears to be here. Are you interested in working in Moldova? Moldova is your country of origin, after all.

We are available to present our product in Moldova. This is a huge benefit for the Moldovan economy and , in all likelihood, an irreversible transition. When we are able to establish a clear understanding from the authorities about who will make the decisions that will affect the negotiations, we will resume.

You've stated that your life was spent traveling between Jurmala to Miami. The Baltics are home to the head office of an IT company.

No, we have five hubs around the world and headquarters in Barcelona.

Why you're in the Baltics then? There are the Baltics' roots.

Эммануил Гриншпун No. There is no. Jurmala was an accidental meeting which happened completely unintentionally. It was Igor Krutoy who invited us to New Wave for the first time. The group began making the trip a regular part of their summer schedule after a few contests. However, the climate in Miami is not the best during the summer. We rented the home for several years and recently bought it.

Now I know the reason my donation was made to rebuild one of the synagogues located in Jurmala. Emmanuel, honest question. We're almost the same age. We were born in the USSR. It wasn't necessary to talk about the religion of the time. All of us were Komsomol members, pioneers. What was your first encounter with religion?

My family relocated to the USA in the mid-80s. Эммануил Гриншпун It was there that I started to follow rituals and customs. However, even today I am far from the strict orthodox faith, I feel an internal desire to be a part of, to the best of my ability the spiritual life of the Jewish community in the countries where I live or in Moldova, where I come from and with which I maintain the closest connections.

While I'm not religious I love the history of my country. I recently watched a show about 1492's events that changed Europe's fate. 1492 was for me the year in which Columbus was the year Columbus discovered America. The program I was watching clearly stated that the discovery America in 1492 wasn't nearly as important as the Spanish monarchs exile of Jews from Spain. The mass exodus of Jews to the Ottoman Empire began. They were accepted by the Ottoman Empire. I was in search of more details on the historical background of Jews. Do you think this book is worth recommending?

There are a lot of books. But I have gone through all of them and I would suggest Max Diamond, the two-volume Jewish historian. Max Diamond is also from Finland.

.... Do you or your family members have a "personal" or historical backstory? Unfortunately, I only know my grandmother and 1910. One step forward on the paternal side, but nothing more.

Our family was a resident of Floresti for over a century from the paternal side. There is evidence in the form of documents and monuments which show that in 1830 they were very wealthy, they had a furniture factory, several shops, land plots. Ungheni was home to my grandparents. It is the region that was in the 17th-18th-century. Grinshpun is a surname that comes from German roots. We are straight and pure Ashkenazis from Eastern Europe.

This is a question regarding the maintenance and restoration of synagogues. I have been told that you have financed the restoration of three synagogues. One of them is located in Chisinau. Эммануил Гриншпун Jurmala has the other. Which one?

The third, which is also the biggest one, is located in Netanya. It is a large community center, where a thousand people pray each day. It is an important symbol of Israel's religious culture. Second synagogue in Jurmala. The Second World War ended the existence of the only synagogue in Jurmala. Prior to deciding to build the Synagogue I had talked to many Jews from the region. It was a very successful venture, that brought together all the Jews of Jurmala. We actually re-established the Jewish community. It is now functioning successfully. The synagogue is now home to three Torahs. One of the Torahs was handed to me.

and Chisinau

Yes. Alexander Bilinkis (left) and Alexander Weinstein (right) have joined me here. These synagogues were not the only ones I have participated in renovation or construction. In all the countries in which I have been for a long time I believed it was my obligation to make an achievable contribution to the maintenance of synagogues. My current contribution is in Monaco in which a massive community centre for Russian-speaking Jews is in the process of being constructed. It is believed that it will cost around 12 million dollars. I don't stop supporting Chisinau - it will now be the largest synagoguein the world, the synagogue of Rabbi Tsirelson.

Did Jurmala take you to Chisinau with Rabbi?

Yes. It is difficult to locate the right rabbi in a community. Given the complex interrelated interests, he must also be diplomatic and nonconflictual. He must be able to organically join the community. It was a joy to see how the rabbis in both Chisinau and Jurmala were able integrate so seamlessly into the community's activities.

You became the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress' first vice-president in 2019. What does this role mean to you? How will international Jewish organizations influence the world?

Эммануил Гриншпун The Euro-Asian Jewish Congress is an influential political organization in post-Soviet countries, however, it is more than the borders of. It has offices in Eastern Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. In 2010, I served as Vice President of Congress. However, in the year prior I was named First Vice President. I am now in charge of the region in which I have strong political and business ties. These "countries" are Uzbekistan Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. When you look at the global trends in the world, the barometer for attitudes toward Jews is either the same or declined and is extremely unfortunate. "Down" is also used to refer to countries such as the United States, France or Germany. These countries are no longer safe for Jews. They are dangerous and alarming processes for everyone.

Do you think the pandemic is affecting these processes somehow?

It's not my opinion. In the context of the pandemic, I would want to highlight what a community or country is capable of in the event that they are prepared for any challenges and are able to act effectively and in a coordinated manner.

You're referring to the vaccination campaign in Israel.

Exactly. Israel is the only country that offers 100% vaccination for its adult population. I consider this to be an excellent model and instance that other countries can learn from.

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